
When I began my moose photography season in 2022, I came across a spot in the mountains where this large bull was hanging out. He was there in the same general location for weeks. Later that summer, I finally took a friend out to see and photograph him, but some guy with a dog in a travel camper had illegally parked his camper right next to this spot and the bull was gone. I never saw him again that summer. Fortunately, I did make some photos of him before the camper showed up.
I’m a dog owner and I love my pets, but I also know that moose can’t stand the presence of dogs in their environment. Moose consider them to be wolves and predators, so they won’t hang out in areas where people are bringing their dogs. I never take my dogs with me when I’m looking for moose, it’s just counter productive. I know of a few photographers who like to bring their dogs along with them though. I don’t really consider them to be serious about their subject. A moose has a better sense of smell than a dog, and will be aware of the presence of any animal in their environment long before you can get near them to make photographs. When I see people with dogs out in the wilderness, I find somewhere else to work.